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King Lear (Modern, Extended Folio)
28445.1
2847Bastard
[To an officer] Know of the Duke if his last purpose hold,
2848Or whether since he is advised by aught
2849To change the course. He's full of alteration
2850And self-reproving. Bring his constant pleasure.
[Exit officer.]
2851Regan
Our sister's man is certainly miscarried.
2852Bastard
'Tis to be doubted, madam.
2853Regan
Now, sweet lord,
2854You know the goodness I intend upon you.
2855Tell me but truly--but then speak the truth--
2856Do you not love my sister?
2857Bastard
In honored love.
2858Regan
But have you never found my brother's way
2859To the forfended place?
2860Bastard
No, by mine honor, madam.
2861Regan
I never shall endure her. Dear my lord,
2862Be not familiar with her.
2863Bastard
Fear not.--
She and the Duke her husband.
2864Enter, with drum and colors, Albany, Goneril, [and] soldiers.
[Aside] I had rather
58Him and me.
2865Albany
Our very loving sister, well be-met.
2866Sir, this I heard: the King is come to his daughter
2867With others whom the rigor of our state
2602Bastard
Sir, you speak nobly.
2869Regan
Why is this reasoned?
2870Goneril
Combine together 'gainst the enemy,
2871For these domestic and particular broils
2872Are not the question here.
2873Albany
Let's then determine with th'ensign of war
2874On our proceeding.
2875Regan
Sister, you'll go with us?
2876Goneril
No.
2877Regan
'Tis most convenient. Pray go with us.
2878Goneril
[Aside] Oh ho, I know the riddle.--I will go.
2879Exeunt both the armies.
2880Enter Edgar, [disguised, speaking to Albany as he is leaving].
2881Edgar
If ere your grace had speech with man so poor,
2882Hear me one word.
2883Albany
[To those leaving] I'll overtake you. [To Edgar] Speak.
2884Edgar
Before you fight the battle, ope this letter.
2885If you have victory, let the trumpet sound
2886For him that brought it. Wretched though I seem,
2887I can produce a champion that will prove
2888What is avouchèd there. If you miscarry,
2889Your business of the world hath so an end,
2890And machination ceases. Fortune loves you.
2891Albany
Stay till I have read the letter.
2892Edgar
I was forbid it.
2893When time shall serve, let but the herald cry,
2894And I'll appear again.
2895Albany
Why fare thee well, I will o'erlook thy paper.
Exit [Edgar].
2896Enter Edmund [the Bastard].
2897Bastard
The enemy's in view. Draw up your powers.
2898Here is the guess of their true strength and forces
2899By diligent discovery, but your haste
2900Is now urged on you.
2901Albany
We will greet the time.
Exit.
2902Bastard
To both these sisters have I sworn my love,
2903Each jealous of the other as the stung
2904Are of the adder. Which of them shall I take?
2905Both? One? Or neither? Neither can be enjoyed
2906If both remain alive. To take the widow
2907Exasperates, makes mad her sister Goneril;
2908And hardly shall I carry out my side,
2909Her husband being alive. Now then, we'll use
2910His countenance for the battle; which, being done,
2911Let her who would be rid of him devise
2912His speedy taking off. As for the mercy
2913Which he intends to Lear and to Cordelia,
2914The battle done, and they within our power,
2915Shall never see his pardon; for my state
2916Stands on me to defend, not to debate.
60Exit.